I live in Gold River, a community that has been particularly hard hit by the decline in the forest industry and a community that is still surrounded by some of the last valley-bottom old-growth forest.

The small regions of Scout and Antler lakes have been treasured as a recreational resource for decades by locals and are a vital corridor and winter range for the ungulates and predators of this area.

This forest is also private land held by WFP and is in imminent danger of being logged.

For the past nine months negotiations have been ongoing between the forest company and various ministries to preserve this forest. Despite the goodwill and restraint exhibited by WFP and the incredible work done by members of the community and WFP representatives, there has been no solution the government is willing to act on.

This community is united in its desire to preserve both this forest and our forestry jobs -- the two are not mutually exclusive. We need government action to help preserve both our forest and our future viability as a community that people will want to live in and to come to.

We need the government's help to save what is left of our natural surroundings and our town.

Or maybe Premier Gordon Campbell might want to at least visit before both are gone.

Patrick Ney

Gold River